Despair Colors Arabs' Opinions

July 14, 2002|By Serge Schmemann The New York Times

Earlier this month, President Bush tried to go over the heads of the Palestinian leadership to appeal to Palestinian people to turn away from Yasser Arafat, pledging U.S. help in their quest for nationhood if they installed a more democratic leadership.

Much has been written on Palestinian views about the use of children as suicide bombers, the targeting of civilians in Israel and terrorism in general -- issues that lay behind Bush's call for replacing Arafat. For this article, a few ordinary Palestinians were asked at random for their opinions on America's role in the Middle East and the need for reform within the Palestinian leadership. Their answers might surprise, even dismay, the Bush administration.

Yet it seems a moment to listen to such voices, from people who do not fit the common television image of suicide bombers, stone-throwing youngsters or downtrodden refugees. In fact, most of the Palestinians, especially in the West Bank, lead lives that might seem far more familiar to Americans -- working hard, living in modern apartments, shopping in supermarkets.

These are people who feel betrayed by all that has happened in recent years. They voted for Arafat in 1997 because he was their national symbol, and many, perhaps most, would vote for him now because their pride dictates that they not bow to Israeli pressures. But he is not the leader whom many would prefer if they were left to choose in peace.

Their remarks signal an underlying anger, anguish and despair, reflecting lives that, even for the middle class, are a daily agony of fear, humiliation and helplessness after two years of escalating violence between their society and Israel's. They no longer have the sense that they have control over their destiny, and most Palestinians have long concluded that only the United States can help them. Yet Bush's exhortation to them to choose democracy, when they live under siege, has struck many Palestinians as a cruel joke. His overt support for Ariel Sharon struck many as betrayal.

It is easy to argue with these voices, to recite the litany of Arafat's failings and lost opportunities. Perhaps it is useful, though, to simply hear them.

Jaber Al Badawi, 48, a refugee, shopkeeper and writer in his shop in the Al Arub refugee camp near Hebron in the West Bank:

"The Americans are great people. They are civilized people who love life but unfortunately, its leadership is a mafia. I have many American friends -- from L.A., California, Chicago -- so that's why I say there is a difference between the leadership and the people. ... It was the speech of the leader of a gang -- a world mafia interfering in the affairs of others. You see these wrestlers who stand in a ring and say `Look at my muscles, who wants to fight me?' Bush and his gang around him are leading America down."

Rifat Jabarin, 12, who sells coffee as a summer job at the Kalandia checkpoint.

"I like the Americans. I know there was an attack. ... I watched on Al Jazeera. I cannot forget what I saw -- an airplane hitting the tower, then fire, then someone flying through the air, then the building falling down. ... When America supports us I like them. When Colin Powell came here he saw Arafat and the problems we are living in. He said something about a Palestinian state and then he did nothing. It's a beautiful country. I see movies on TV. It's a better life there. There is no occupation. I like Michael Jackson. I know someone called `the Rock.' He's very strong. I know Hulk Hogan. I want to be an architect."

Hamed Shaheen, 38, father of six, gardener-turned-taxi driver because of the intifada:

"I was taking my taxi through this road to reach Kalandia [checkpoint]. The Israeli soldiers stopped me and ordered me to drive here and took my ID and my keys. I have no choice except to wait here for my ID. The last time it happened to me, 20 days ago, I was kept waiting for 26 hours. Of course I blame the occupation. ... I blame everybody: America, Israel and the Palestinian Authority for the situation. We need a solution. It's not a life. If I don't work I will lose the car and I will have no job. ... When you blame the Americans it's because they gave the green light to Israel. Israel is responsible for the occupation. ... I blame the Palestinian Authority for not being able to help us, for the corruption that exists. Only the influential people are benefiting. I don't believe in these reforms. Reforms don't mean moving someone from his position and putting him in a new place."

Bernard Sabella, a Christian sociologist: "I lived in the U.S. for 11 years. Americans, as a people, are very nice, open, friendly, industrious, hardworking. ... When you say Palestinians are Muslims, how do you explain to Americans that Muslims are decent, hardworking people? ... We are entitled to decide who our politicians will be. What kind of message are you sending to people all over the world? If Washington doesn't like a leader, this leader goes? I think we need reforms, but it is up to us to determine that direction."

Mervat Hushiyah, high school student and cucumber picker: "The American people have more sympathy to us than the government. They are very advanced and have a developed economy and they help Palestinians somewhat and they have a high standard of living. I would like to live like them, but it is not going to happen."